Man Convicted Of Molesting Girl At Day Care

After 2 1/2 hours of testimony from an 8-year-old girl, the husband of a former Hartford day-care provider was convicted Monday of molesting the youngster about four years ago.

A Hartford Superior Court jury of three men and three women deliberated about three hours and 45 minutes before convicting Juan Morales, 61, of 195 Flatbush Ave., Hartford, of four criminal counts, carrying an aggregate maximum penalty of 41 years in prison.

As the jury forelady announced the guilty verdicts, Morales' wife and two daughters began crying quietly behind him. At one point, Morales turned around and put his hand out in a gesture of restraint. One of the daughters held her baby as the court session progressed.

The three women embraced Morales after the court session was over and before Morales was taken to a lockup in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Morales' brother and son are Hartford police officers, and his wife, Maria, formerly operated Morales Day Care Center on Flatbush Avenue. The center's license was revoked by the state in 1991 after an inquiry into Juan Morales' activities, said Assistant State's Attorney John M. Massameno. Morales surrendered to police on the charges on Feb. 3, 1992.

The jury viewed two videotapes of interviews of the girl explaining to a social worker and a doctor how she was accosted by Morales. While the girl was being questioned by attorneys, the courtroom door was locked to prevent spectators from going in and out. During the questioning, lawyers were seated so as not to intimidate her, Massameno said.

``She was as comfortable as any child could be in a court of law,'' said Massameno, who explained that she had been brought into court ahead of time to meet the sheriffs and the court monitor who would take down her testimony.

The molestation of the girl, one of about half a dozen being cared for in the Morales' day-care center, was not uncovered until she moved on to another day-care center in West Hartford, where she was ``taught about good touch, bad touch,'' Massameno said.

The girl then complained about Morales to her parents. Through more questioning, social workers and police determined the incidents were between the fall of 1989 and February of 1990.

Morales was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and two counts of risk of injury to a minor. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 28.